200

I have hit 200 posts! (it is actually 202 but I deleted 2 post) Is this what it really feels like to get this old? I am sensing that there will be a name change and a wardrobe swap on my blog soon. I am feeling extremely sassy so I am going to try (try being the key word) on doing a giveaway on my blog once a week. It will be rather random and as simple as leaving a comment in the giveaway post. I will give a deadline and pick by then. so since it is Friday and the weather is extremely amazing outside, here goes my first give away for my 200th post!

My current favorite:

 

Aroma Fina Indian food. My sweet SIL has taken me to many many places that are new to me. I am not one to adventure out and try new food. She got me hooked on Thia food (simply amazing) and now Indian food. Lucky for me Bryce doesn't like either so I get to go on special occasions. Since then I have even gotten my sister hooked! It is awesome. So here is what I suggest: Samosas! They are AWESOME... oh get the vegetarian. yummy! A true delight.

Oh and we cant forget the Naan. The Cheese Naan is just as good but the plain is always the best:

Yum! Now for a meal... You can eat anything there and it will be amazing. I like anything with chicken. I have had several entries there and I have yet to hate any of them. If you are dairy allergy ask them to cook any of them with coconut milk. They will do it!

Now for desert Try to the Mango Kulfi. Simply irresistible.

I must tell you that this place is a small place. The owner is a delight to talk to. Aroma was very personable and likable. I will go back based simply on my experience with her - but the food is simply amazing. I would not suggest going on a Friday night unless you go later (around 8) because it is small, it gets busy. My SIL always suggest trying out their buffet. Then you get to try all kinds of food that they have and you can pick what you like (I haven't been able to check the buffet out yet). And if you call in advanced you can get the full India experience with your meal on the floor but you have to call and reserve that in advanced.

Now if you made it through that - leave a comment. tell me what your current favorite is. It can be anything: Plant, candy bar, soap, restaurant... you name it. I will pick a winner Wednesday the 7th! This will be for a $10 gift card to Aroma's. Good luck!!!!!

Dutching some ovens, competition style!

Every year in March (the 3rd weekend) it always booked out. It is something to expect. It is the Worlds dutch oven competition. (read about the past 2 years HERE and HERE) This year was a little different. Not only did Will and Jen compete but they were competing against my mom (and her partner) and a 3rd team of their son and my older sister Aimee. This was the first year that they have had a 3 generation competition in the finals. Chad was also the youngest competitor at the age of 17. The rules are that you have to be 18 to compete. Since chad is months shy of being 18 they agreed to let him compete as long as his partner was over the age of 18. His original partner had something come up and he was about to lose his place in the semi-finals when my sister willingly stepped up to help him out (never cooking in a dutch over herself!) It was a first for both and we were glad to hear that they made it to the finals on Saturday! They also have to have many helpers to have this event go down so my dad and my other nephew, Cam were one of the many to help. It is like a family event... soon we are going to take over the world! wink wink. Here are the teams:

Teams #1 (Placed 4th in the finals):
Main - Bacon Pork Loin
Bread - Orange Cranberry Nut
Dessert - Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Team 2 (placed 5th in finals)
Main - Prime Rib
Bread - Citrus Twist bread (YUMMMMMMMMY!!!! take my word for it, I wont share!)
Dessert - Red velvet cheesecake

Team 3 (took 11th in finals)
Main - beef tenderloin
Bread - Cheese steak bread
Dessert - Peach mango craisin pie


Here are the rest of the pics, the tense breaking moments!

3 Generations!

I wanna know who's bright idea it was put put them all in a row, next to each other, with family rivalry!

Everything has to be done in a dutch oven - including something as small as melting butter!

Cameron - getting the coals ready for all of those dutch ovens!


Measure twice, cut once!

My recent guilty pleasure

For those of you who don't know, I have been on a battle of being healthier without feeling the pressure of committing to specific amounts of pounds or going to the gym so many times a week. I have a very busy schedule and when I commit to stuff like that I get stressed. However I am doing weight watchers without paying for weight watchers. I have my moments sometimes. My weight has always been a battle and it always will be, but I have found something that I look forward to every day that fits within my 'points' budget!


Starbucks oatmeal!!!!! (with a side of passion tea lemonade with raspberry that is 0 points!!! A drink that I devour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I have issues with textures of food. I have tried oatmeal in different varieties. It smells so good but the texture makes me gag so I just don't eat it. I was hesitant to try it one again. I have no idea what it is with this oatmeal but I love it and it doesn't make me gag!!!! I crave this breakfast every morning. This is what makes my days go a whole lot better. Starbucks Oatmeal.... YYYYUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

My oh my...

There is way too much going on in the Hardman house! I thought I would update before I get extremely behind. I have been so busy just trying to play catch up on my normal life since school has been out.. it is crazy. so here are a few things that have been going on in our house:

the deck is nearly done! Bryce is putting on the last 10 ballisters as we speak.. anyone wanna come help us seal the sucker??? Anyone??? I am VERY excited for the deck to be done, now we just need to get the hammock up and spend our lazy summer in our backyard. The last 2 major things are the garage and the basement living room. both are which usable and can wait til fall.

Our bedroom is nearly done too! I just have the last 8 pictures to hand up along with our curtains and we are complete. I just got out nightstand today. It has been nice to have our room revamped but it will be nice when it is finished to match what I have been imagining. I have to admit that the before pictures are AWFUL... but I think you will all enjoy the after picture which will be coming soon (along with the deck pictures...)

we cant forget the new bundle of joy that entered in to the family. She is soooooo cute!



Last week I got my papers submitted to the state.. in the next few weeks I will be 'official' even though I was done a few weeks ago. I am excited to have that paper in hand, at about the same time my diploma will come through.

My last piece of exciting news in we got a new washer and dryer! I have been dealing with our old one far too long. I had to convince Bryce it was time and after doing one load of laundry he was on the band wagon. It is so nice to have clean, fresh smelling laundry. our old set got them clean.. to a point. I am very excited! And they are cute!!!!!!

to finish of the events that are going on here are the pictures from my graduation BBQ we had nearly two weeks ago (*Note.. My cute and adorabel nephew, Chad was behind the camera, now you know why there are so many durty looks). Hopefully by week end I will have:

Vegas Pictures

Deck Pictures

Bedroom Pictures

My Brother Will (note his finger, my apologies if anyone is offended)

My Nephew, Kaleb

Bryce and his two cousins Jerry and Dustin

Misty (Dustins wife) and Debbie

Uncle eric

Grandma Drase

Eddie

Brit

My sister Jen


My sister Aimee, showing you how food is to be consumed

Amber and Aimee


My niece, Emi

Bryce Cousins, Jerry and Dustin

My Brother (in law) Mike

Kaleb

Bryce, Debbie, me, Brit and Eddie

Will

Kaleb

Aimee with Baby Brooklyn

Cam, controlling the grill

Lets get this party started!

Ok one last story, as we all know my favorite food is pumpkin chocolate chip cookie. I had asked Jen if she would make some and she did. At first it was an on going war of who would consume the first cookie between me and Will: ha ha I won! Not long after I hide the cookies. Half way through the meal Will asks me where I hid the cookies.. This is the picture of me trying to beat my oh so adorable nephew cam to the door.. needless to say he beat me to it and locked me out of my entire house!

Somehow his own mother managed to get her way into the house and got me the cookies. After that it was a full on war of who got the cookies.... I eventually did share the cookies. oh and Will had his own batch sitting at home for him... so he ate mine first then went home to his and didnt share!